Detent mechanism for control apparatus



Aug. 16, 1966 w a, 354mm DETBNT MECHANISM FOR CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1963 INVENTORS Willard C. Shaw James H. Fluff Q I R W Their Attorney W. C. SHAW ETAL DETENT MECHANISM FOR CONTROL APPARATUS v Aug. 16, 19 6 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct 3, 1963 INVENTORS Willard C.Shaw BY James H. Flatt (LRW Their Attorney United States Patent 3,267,226 DETENT MECHANISM FOR CONTROL APPARATUS Willard C. Shaw and James H. Flatt, Anderson, Ind. as-

signors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, M1ch.,

a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 313,596 11 Claims. (Cl. 200-16) This invention relates to detent mechanism for control apparatus such as an electric switch that is capable of indicating to the operator of the apparatus that he has actuated the apparatus to a predetermined position.

It is common practice in the control apparatus art, such as in electric switches, to provide a detent mechanism for detenting a contact carrier in various positions. This type of detent mechanism has taken various forms and in certain instances an axially spring biased ball has been used which cooperates with one or more recesses formed in a fixed support. In other arrangements that have been used in turn signal apparatus a roller is rotatably mounted on a shaft and cooperates with a spring which has a waved shape.

The present invention in'contrast to the above mentioned detents for electric switches is concerned with providing a reactive force to the movement of a plunger when the plunger and the device it is operating have been moved to a predetermined point. This reactive force provides what may be termed detent feel since no reactive force is encountered until this point is reached and after this point is past the reactive force is no longer present.

It is accordingly one of the objects of this invention to provide a device which is capable of exhibiting a force that can be felt by the operator of the control apparatus when the control apparatus is moved to a certain point and wherein this force no longer exists when this point is past.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feel mechanism for a control apparatus that includes a spring finger that is engaged by a shiftable element. The spring finger is supported in cantilever fashion such that when the shiftable element engages an abutment means on the spring finger, reactive force is felt by the operator, and when the shiftable element is moved further the spring finger is bent and the reactive force is greatly reduced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a detent feel mechanism for control apparatus such as an electric switch wherein a cylindrical element is interposed between a shiftable element and a spring finger, the spring finger having an abutment means which provides the reactive force when the cylindrical element is moved to engage the abutment means. In carrying this object forward the cylindrical element engages the spring finger and a pair of side rails disposed on opposite sides of the spring finger and forming with the spring finger an integral part that can be attached to a fixed support.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a control apparatus that uses the detent feel mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 2 and showing the position where a reactive force is first felt by an operator of the control apparatus.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar'to FIGURE 3 but illustrating the control apparatus in a position where the reactive force has been overcome.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a spring detent used in FIGURE 2.

The detent feel mechanism of this invention is to be described in connection with an electric switch, but it is to be understood that this mechanism could be used in other manually operable devices where it is desired to indicate to the operator that the device has been moved to a predetermined position by causing a force to be felt by the operator when this position is reached.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a metal housing having a tubular section 12 and a rectangular section defining a switching compartment 14, an insulator plate 16 that closes the open end of the compartment 14. The insulator plate 16 is secured to the housing 10 by staking portions of the housing over the insulator as indicated by reference numeral 18. The interior of the tubular section 12 communicates with the compartment 14 through an opening 20 which is surrounded by a boss 22 formed as an integral part of the housing 10.

The insulator plate 16 carries rivets 24, 26 and 28 which pass through openings in the insulator plate. The rivets 24, 26 and 28 each have a contact surface which form the fixed contacts for the switch. These contact surfaces are designated by reference numerals 24a, 26a and 28a.

The rivets 24, 26 and 28 hold terminals 24b, 26b and 28b fixed with respect to the insulator plate 16 and these terminals are connected with conductors as shown.

The contact surfaces of the rivets 24, 26 and 28 are connected in a predetermined sequence by a metal contactor 30 which is carried by a contact carrier 32 that is formed of insulating material. The contactor 30 has a triangular shape and has sections extending downwardly into slots formed in the contact'carrier 32. A spring 34 urges the contactor 30 toward the contact faces of the rivets 24, 26 and 28. The triangular shape of the contact 30 makes it possible for this contact to electrically disconnect the rivets 24, 26 and 28 when the contact carrier is in its FIGURE 2 position. When the contact carrier is shifted rightwardly a predetermined distance, the contact 30 will electrically connect the rivets 26 and 28 to provide the first switching position of the switch. When the contact carrier is shifted rightwardly in FIGURE 2 to its FIGURE 4 position contact 30 will electrically connect the rivets 24, 26 and 28 to provide another switching position for the switch.

The contact carrier 32 is shifted by a plunger generally designated by reference numeral 36. The plunger 36 has a cylindrical section 38 which slides in a bushing 40 secured to the housing 10. The cylindrical section 42 of the plunger 36 slides in the boss 22. The plunger 36 has a reduced section 44 and an annular section 46. The reduced section 44 fits within a slot 48 formed in the contact carrier 32 and the wall section 45 of the plunger 36 can engage a wall 50 of the contact carrier that surrounds slot 48 when the plunger is depressed. When the plunger moves back, the section 46 engages wall 52 of the contact carrier. A spring 54 is interposed between the end of plunger section 38 and the housing 10 and constantly urges the plunger and contact carrier 32 to the position shown in FIGURE 2.

The electric switch of this invention is adapted to control the downshifting of an automatic transmission on a motor vehicle. Thus, the plunger 36 can be suitably connected with the accelerator pedal on a motor vehicle such that when the accelerator pedal is depressed by the operator the plunger 36 is moved rightwardly in FIGURE 2.

With this type of apparatus it is necessary that the operator feel some reactive force just prior to the time that the automatic transmission is to be downshifted. This reactive force is provided by a spring detent which is generally designated by reference numeral 56 and is shown in the perspective view of FIGURE 6. his seen that the spring detent 56 has a spring finger 58 which is laterally spaced from a pair of L-shaped side rail sections 60 and 62. This spring detent 56 is formed of spring steel material. The spring finger section 58 has offset sections 58a and 58b. The section 58b has a raised section 580 forming an abutment 58d. In the normal unstressed position of the spring finger it takes a position slightly above its position shown in FIGURE 2. It is seen that this spring finger 58 is supported in cantilever fashion by the section 64 of the detent spring which joins one end of the side rail sections 60 and 62,. The section 64 has an opening 66 which receives a projection 68 formed integral with the housing 10. It thus is seen that the spring detent 56 is supported by the lower wall a of the housing 16) since the side rail sections 60 and 62 engage this wall. The spring detent 56 is prevented from axial movement since the opening 66 receives the projection 68.

The spring finger 58 cooperates with an elongated cylindrical element 70 which fits within a slot 72 formed in the contact carrier 32. The cylindrical element 70 is formed of steel material and its ends engage surfaces on the contact carrier 32 as depicted in FIGURE 5 to prevent axial movement of the cylindrical element 70. It will be appreciated that as the contact carrier 32 is shifted, the cylindrical element 70 slides on the top surface of the spring finger 58 and also slides on the top surface of the side rail sections 60 and 62.

The operation of the reactive force mechanism of this invention in connection with the electric switch will now be described. When the plunger 36 is moved rightwardly in FIGURE 2, as by the depressing of an accelerator pedal in a motor vehicle which isconnected by suitable linkage with the plunger 36, the plunger will move to a position where the plunger wall 45 engages the wall 50 of the contact carrier 32. It can be seen that there is some overtravel of the plunger 38 before it actually will move the contact carrier 32.

During continued movement of the plunger 36 to the right in FIGURE 2 the contact carrier 32 is moved rightwardly and the cylindrical element 70 is moved rightwardly and slides along the top surface of section 58a of the spring finger S8. The only forces now impeding the movement of the contact carrier are the force of the spring 54, the frictional force between cylindrical element 70 and section 58a and the minor frictional force of the contactor 30 sliding along the inner surface of the insulator plate 16.

When the cylindrical element 70 engages the abutment 58d as shown in FIGURE 3 the operator will now feel a positive reactive force to further movement of the plunger 36. This will indicate to the operator that the contact carrier 32 has been shifted to a predetermined position and that further movement of the contact carrier will now cause certain switching to take place. Thus, where the control apparatus is used to control the downshifting of an automatic transmission the force provided when the cylindrical element 70 engages abutment 58d will indicate to the operator that further movement of the accelerator pedal will now cause the transmission to be downshifted.

If the operator now continues movement of the plunger 36 rightwardly, the spring finger 58 will be bent downwardly between the side rail sections 60 and 62 as depicted in FIGURE 4 and the cylindrical element 70 will then slide on the section 580 and side rail sections 60 and 62 of the spring finger 58. The reactive force that was present when the cylindrical element 70 engaged the abutment 58d will now no longer exist and the contact carrier 32 can be moved relative to section 580. The arrangement of parts is such that when the cylindrical element 70 is on surface 58c the contactor 30 connects the rivets 24, 26 and 28.

When the operator releases the plunger 36, as when the I plunger engages the wall 52 of the contact carrier 32.

The plunger thus overtravels both during initial rightward movement and when it is being returned leftwardly by the spring 54. rier, one end 50 of the contact carrier engages a wall of the housing 10 as is apparent from FIGURE 2.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A control apparatus comprising, a housing, a spring detent member having a pair of side rail sections and a spring finger located therebetween, the lower edges of said side rail sections engaging said housing, a shiftable control member shiftable relative to said spring detent and relative to said support member, and means shiftable with said shiftable member and engageable with said spring finger, said means being engageable with the top edges of said side rail sections, said spring finger having an abutment means which engages said means when said control member is moved to a predetermined position to provide a reactive force to further movement of said control member.

2. The control device according to claim 1 wherein the control member is the contact carrier of an electric switch that carries a contact that is engageable with a fixed contact supported by said housing.

3. The control device according to claim 1 wherein the means that is driven by the control member is cylindrical in shape and fits within a slot formed in the control member.

4. The control device according to claim 1 wherein the spring detent has an opening which receives a projecting portion of the support means for preventing axial movement of said spring detent.

5. In combination, a manually operable member, a housing, a control member adapted to be moved by said manually operable member, said control member being slidably supported by said housing for movement along a predetermined path, an elongated spring finger mounted in cantilever fashion on said housing, and an element engageable with and movable on one surface of said spring finger, said element being located between and in engagement with said control member and said one surface of said spring finger and being moved by said control member along a predetermined path, said spring finger in one position extending into said predetermined path of movement of said element and having an abutment means which is engaged by said element to provide a reactive force to further movement of said control member when said element is shifted into engagement with said abutment means, said reactive force being overcome when said spring finger is bent toward said housing by said element and to a position substantially parallel to said predetermined path of movement of said element when said shiftable member is shifted past a point where said element engages said abutment means.

6. In combination, a housing, a manually operable control member slidably supported by said housing for movement along a predetermined path relative to said housing, a spring finger mounted in cantilever fashion at one end on said housing, said spring finger extending into said predetermined path when it is in one position, said spring finger having an abutment means located in said predetermined path of movement of said control member, and an element disposed between said control member and said spring finger and riding on one face of said spring finger when said control member and element are moved, said element being shifted by said control member and engaging said abutment means of said spring In the FIGURE 2 position of the contact car finger in one position of said element and spring finger to apply a reactive force to further movement of said control member, said spring finger being bent toward said housing by said element when said control member and element are moved to a position where said element overrides said abutment means to thereby reduce the reactive force force applied to said control member.

7. In combination, a housing, a manually operable control member slidably supported by said housing for movement along a predetermined path, a spring finger supported at one end on said housing having an abutment means, and an element located between said control member and said spring finger which rides on one surface of said spring finger as said control member is shifted, said control member including means for driving said element along a predetermined path, said spring finger having an abutment means and being capable of being bent with respect to said housing and having a position Where it extends into said predetermined path of movement of said element, said element engaging said abutment means to provide a reactive force to further movement of said control member when said element is shifted into engagement with said abutment means, said spring finger bending towards a position where it is located substantially parallel to said predetermined path of movement of said element when said control member and element are shifted past a point Where said element engages said abutment means whereby said reactive force is reduced.

8. The combination according to claim 7 where the control member is a contact carrier which carries an electrical contact that is engageable with a fixed contact supported by said housing.

9. A control device comprising, a housing, a plunger slidably supported on said housing for axial reciprocation relative to said housing, a spring interposed between said housing and said plunger for urging said plunger in one direction, a control member connected with said plunger to be axially reciprocated thereby, and a means for providing a reactive force to movement of said control member and said plunger when said plunger and control member are moved against the bias of said spring to a predetermined position, said means including an elongated spring finger which is supported at one end by said housing and which includes an abutment means that is engageable with an element that is driven by said control member in said predetermined position of said control member, said element being disposed between said control member and said elongated spring, said spring finger extending into the path of movement of said element in one position of said spring finger, said spring finger being bendable and being bent to a position where said element moves along a surface of said spring finger to reduce said reactive force when said control member and plunger are moved past said predetermined position.

'10. A control apparatuscomprising, a housing, a control member slidably supported by said housing for movement along a predetermined path relative to said housing, an elongated flat spring finger having an abutment means,

one end of said spring finger being supported on said housing, and an element driven by said control member located between said control member and a surface of said spring finger whereby said element rides on said surface of said spring finger when said control member is shifted, said spring finger having one position where it extends into the path of movement of said element that is driven by said control member, said element being operated by said control member to bend said spring finger downwardly towards a position substantially parallel' to the path of movement of said element when said control member is moved past a predetermined point where it engages said abutment means, said spring finger providing a reactive force to movement of said control member when said control member has been moved to a point where said element engages said abutment means, said reactive force being reduced when said spring finger is bent downwardly when said element is moved past said abutment means.

11. A control apparatus comprising, a housing, a control member slidably supported on said housing for movement along a predetermined path, said control member being movable between first, second and third positions, an element connected with said control member and shifted thereby along a predetermined path of movement, an elongated fiat spring finger having an abutment means supported at one end by said housing, said spring finger in one position thereof extending into said predetermined path of movement of said element, said element riding on one surface of said spring finger and being located between said control element and said spring finger, said element being spaced from said abutment means in said first position of said control member but engaging said abutment means when said control member is shifted from said first position to said second position, said element being operative to bend said spring'finger downwardly towards a position substantially parallel to said predetermined path of movement of said element when said control member is shifted through its second position towards its third position, said spring finger providing a reactive force to the movement of said control member when said control member has been moved to its second position where said element engages said abutment means, said reactive force being reduced when said control member and element are shifted through said second position toward said third position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,848,567 8/1958 Estoppey et al 200-11 2,967,215 1/1961 Whiting 200-166 3,145,270 8/1964 Brown 2oo 16 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. KATHLEEN H. CLAFF Y, Examiner. J. R. SCQTT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CONTROL APPARATUS COMPRISING, A HOUSING, A SPRING DETENT MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE RAIL SECTIONS AND A SPRING FINGER LOCATED THEREBETWEEN, THE LOWER EDGES OF SAID SIDE RAIL SECTIONS ENGAGING SAID HOUSING, A SHIFTABLE CONTROL MEMBER SHIFTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID SPRING DETENT AND RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, AND MEANS SHIFTABLE WITH SAID SHIFTABLE MEMBER AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SPRING FINGER, SAID MEANS BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH THE TOPS EDGES OF SAID SIDE RAIL SECTIONS, SAID SPRING FINGER HAVING AN ABUTMENT MEANS WHICH ENGAGES SAID MEANS WHEN SAID CONTROL 